This exchange and graduation from American HS have been my dreams since I was 12. My english has been always so bad and I've always wanted to learn it. I've always wanted to experience American Halloween, Christmas, High school and culture. Now I can tell you, I did it. I spent a year abroad.
My friends in the US know me as a little Finnish girl and I know them as little American girls. I was little when I left (well, I am still..) . I didn't know the place where I was going, people, family,
language, culture or anything. I was scared and my last week was really emotional. I couldn't sleep really well and I wanted to hang out with my friends and family as much as possible.
When I stepped into the airplane, I wasn't sad at all. The hardest part was passed and it was to say goodbye to my siblings and friends and leave my mom, dad and friends to the airport. In the airplane I was excited and ready to fly to New York and start my dream and American year.
However, my year wasn't always easy and full of pink roses. The first months I spent at home. I didn't do almost anything, I didn't have friends and language was difficult. My english was bad (if you ever think that you would like to do exchange but you hesitate for your language skills, don't worry, you'll learn it!!), it was hard to make friends and I was homesick. I am glad I love sports. Everyday after school I had a practice and I loved to play volleyball and other sports. As I played I forgot everything during practices and games. Also, my volleyball coach was so good for me and I could tell her if something was wrong, she always listened me. All of my problems and feelings of sadness made my year.
Nevertheless, I passed my first months and I started to love my year abroad. I made friends, language was easier and my family was wonderful! Life was fun. I did more things on the weekends and I knew where to go at school. Also, I realized that I don't have tons of months left. I wanted to do lots of things and experience new things as much as possible. I really enjoyed my last months and I wasn't sure if I wanted to go home.
Well, Of course I always wanted to go home but the leaving meant so much more than just leaving my family and friends. I knew that the day I leave I will leave my dream and American life behind me. I knew that next time when I come back, same people are not there anymore, I won't go to school, I won't live with my host family for many months (they won't tease me of my english! At least as much as at the beginning, haha) and I won't face the same problems or emotions anymore.
I said goodbye to America about 2,5 weeks ago (19.6) and it was so hard! I didn't expect it to be that hard but I know that some day I'll be back. I miss all of my friends, families and Rotarians in the US but I am glad to be home. I've done so many summer traditions already and it feels good to be home. America and people in the US took a piece of my heart and there is always place for you. I hope to see you all soon and can't wait to come back!!
Thank you for everything. I couldn't be more thankful for my Finnish family, Rotarians in Finland and in the US that they gave me the opportunity to experience this amazing year. I couldn't be more thankful for my families in the US that they made an amazing year for me, they were always there for me, loved me, teased me, made me feel safe and made me feel like I am home. I couldn't be more thankful for my American friends that they were there for me, spent lots of time with me and laughed with me.
One more time, Thank You! ♡
Love,
Vilma
The morning when I left ♡♡
Safely home!!
Homecoming celebrations
My mom's sugar buns
My room has exploded!!
Cottage life ♡
This is the last blog post.
Thank you all for following my year abroad!